The end of the first semester has arrived and after completing my tests I started to think about everything that had happened over the semester. I was faced with a a lot of complicated life choices as I applied to medical schools and spent a huge sum of money only to get rejection emails. It was a blow to my self esteem, but as the semester progressed I became more and more competent in the pharmacology and my grades improved. The work didn't seem so overwhelming and I met people who I hope to know for the rest of my life through school and service. I noticed that I would feel like something in my life was lacking when I didn't complete as much service as I wanted to. I look forward to next semester and giving more hours than I did this semester.
September: 16 hours
October: 8 hours
November: 8 hours
December: 3 hours
Total: 35 hours
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Sunday, November 30, 2014
Thanksgiving celebrations
Another month down and another 8 hours of service completed. I was trying to get a second shift in before the end of the month but unfortunately I wasn't able too. Luckily I was able to get a shift in on Thursday, November 20th for habitat. This shift was a little different and I was unsure of how I felt about the work I had done. Me and several other classmates (Nick and Chad) were working on a house that had already been erected however some of the siding needed repair. However, much of the wood was rotted and there were more than a few hornet and wasp nests. Our work didn't involve replacing the rotten wood but rather patching over it which felt as though it was an inadequate solution. Nonetheless, Chad, Nick, and I spent the day battling wasps and patching over the rotten wood. There was significantly less guidance on this project than the last which had its perks initially but towards the end, much of the work that had been done needed to be redone. Some things that I disliked this time was the fact that the project manager was chain smoking and given that I have recently (<1 year) quit, I found I was grumpier than usual. Hopefully, I learn how to focus on my work and complete my project despite distractions such as that in the future.
In other news, school has been going extremely well and the final stretch is approaching (one more test!). I can finally start to breath easy although I can't help but remember that when I first talked to Dr. Clarkson, he said that the second semester was just as busy as the first. I have to keep that in mind going in to a 3 week break and a final stretch for this program. I also have a hydrogen sulfide project that I was supposed to be working on but have not been able to sit down and do. I expect that I will have to complete it next semester and I am unsure of how Dr. Kadowitz will feel about that. Happy holidays until next time.
Graham Unis
Hours: 8
In other news, school has been going extremely well and the final stretch is approaching (one more test!). I can finally start to breath easy although I can't help but remember that when I first talked to Dr. Clarkson, he said that the second semester was just as busy as the first. I have to keep that in mind going in to a 3 week break and a final stretch for this program. I also have a hydrogen sulfide project that I was supposed to be working on but have not been able to sit down and do. I expect that I will have to complete it next semester and I am unsure of how Dr. Kadowitz will feel about that. Happy holidays until next time.
Graham Unis
Hours: 8
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Slow month for service
This month was slow for service and I only managed to get one habitat day in technically (although I am signed up for the 1st of November and aim to make it up). I have really enjoyed my time volunteering and my last shift was without the class. I met quite a few very unique people including a whole host of marines. Unfortunately it started POURING rain and we had to pack up a little early. This time we were doing something a little different and putting up the walls of the house so it was 8 hours of hammer which gave me my share of blisters on both hands.
I have also started to do research for one of my professors. Right now I am only doing a review article on the effects of hydrogen sulfide as a neuromodulator but hopefully I can expand this into an experiment eventually since I am starting to form some ideas. The research articles that I once struggled to understand are now easy to understand thanks to this program and the frequency that we read articles.
Lately, the workload has slowed down and I feel like I need to focus my efforts elsewhere. I plan on adding more volunteer work at the hospital due to a lack of a car becoming problematic for getting to the places I need, or finding another extracurricular that I can do. Perhaps more research could be done or I could focus more on the MCAT prep that I may take in January before the changes are made.
Hours: 8
I have also started to do research for one of my professors. Right now I am only doing a review article on the effects of hydrogen sulfide as a neuromodulator but hopefully I can expand this into an experiment eventually since I am starting to form some ideas. The research articles that I once struggled to understand are now easy to understand thanks to this program and the frequency that we read articles.
Lately, the workload has slowed down and I feel like I need to focus my efforts elsewhere. I plan on adding more volunteer work at the hospital due to a lack of a car becoming problematic for getting to the places I need, or finding another extracurricular that I can do. Perhaps more research could be done or I could focus more on the MCAT prep that I may take in January before the changes are made.
Hours: 8
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Habitat for Humanity
I have heard a lot of criticism over volunteering at habitat for humanity. People have told me that there were better volunteer opportunities for medical school and that everyone does habitat but after completing my first two weekends I'm glad that I chose it. Here is why:
I enjoy working with my hands. I like building things and I like to deconstruct things. There is something inherently delightful in completing a project. My first week on September 6th, I spend the early parts of the day shoveling. We were attempting to level out the terrain to provide the house with proper drainage. The weather quickly became the limiting factor. The temperature skyrocketed and by early morning it had become a challenge to drink enough water. I dripped with sweat, literally soaking my shorts and drenching my hair to the point that it looked like I just stepped out of the shower. I guzzled water drinking a total of 2 gallons that day but water didn't become the limiting factor, it was electrolytes. At noon we stopped for lunch and someone did a run to a grocery store to get gatorade. By this point water wasn't doing me much good and I had sweat out a great deal of salt. After lunch I returned with a new vigor but blisters began to form on my palms and burst. I wrapped my wounds and kept working, switching for a short time to do some painting inside to escape the heat and do something I'm good at. The end of the first day approaches and I nearly fall asleep breathing my sigh of relief.
The following weekend I volunteer again. They need someone to do insulation. I have never done it but I'm eager to learn a new skill. Ventilators? Check. Gloves? Check. Goggles? Check. Up the ladder. The roof is low and the attic is dark. I try to sit up and my back is pierced by roofing nails that hold up the shingles. Stay low, and don't go through the dry wall. The heat builds up as the insulation is put down. Halfway done and I pity the people who have to insulate hell more than the ones who live in it. Lunch time arrives and I step into the rain to cool off. I seem to be drawn to the heat like a lizard climbing into an oven. I love it because it creates a new appreciation for a job, a new perspective to add to my collection. I will understand why construction work begins early in the morning (earlier than I usually would like) and why they take naps during the afternoon. I can't wait to volunteer again.
Hours: 16
I enjoy working with my hands. I like building things and I like to deconstruct things. There is something inherently delightful in completing a project. My first week on September 6th, I spend the early parts of the day shoveling. We were attempting to level out the terrain to provide the house with proper drainage. The weather quickly became the limiting factor. The temperature skyrocketed and by early morning it had become a challenge to drink enough water. I dripped with sweat, literally soaking my shorts and drenching my hair to the point that it looked like I just stepped out of the shower. I guzzled water drinking a total of 2 gallons that day but water didn't become the limiting factor, it was electrolytes. At noon we stopped for lunch and someone did a run to a grocery store to get gatorade. By this point water wasn't doing me much good and I had sweat out a great deal of salt. After lunch I returned with a new vigor but blisters began to form on my palms and burst. I wrapped my wounds and kept working, switching for a short time to do some painting inside to escape the heat and do something I'm good at. The end of the first day approaches and I nearly fall asleep breathing my sigh of relief.
The following weekend I volunteer again. They need someone to do insulation. I have never done it but I'm eager to learn a new skill. Ventilators? Check. Gloves? Check. Goggles? Check. Up the ladder. The roof is low and the attic is dark. I try to sit up and my back is pierced by roofing nails that hold up the shingles. Stay low, and don't go through the dry wall. The heat builds up as the insulation is put down. Halfway done and I pity the people who have to insulate hell more than the ones who live in it. Lunch time arrives and I step into the rain to cool off. I seem to be drawn to the heat like a lizard climbing into an oven. I love it because it creates a new appreciation for a job, a new perspective to add to my collection. I will understand why construction work begins early in the morning (earlier than I usually would like) and why they take naps during the afternoon. I can't wait to volunteer again.
Hours: 16
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